Jess and Sam's Earthquake Activities: Experiment #3

One of the most important things to do before an earthquake is to strap down the hot water heater to keep it from spilling over or starting a fire during an earthquake. To demonstrate why that's important, try this experiment.

You will need:

• A shoe box
• Two empty film containers
• Some tape
• Some small objects, like paper clips or rice to fill both containers

Now:

1. Place both containers upright in the box
2. Fill both containers
3. Use tape to strap one container to the side of the box and leave one unattached
4. Shake the box to show what would happen during an earthquake.

Discuss:

• What happened to the container that was secured?
• What happened to the container that was free standing?
  
  
• Jess & Sam's Earthquake
• Experiment #1
• Experiment #2